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Start-up residence permit — innovative entrepreneur

NetherlandsStarting a business

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Is this for a founder, startup entrepreneur, self-employed person, freelancer, company owner or another business profile?

The route is for founders of early-stage innovative companies. The applicant must play an active role in the organisation and cannot be a passive shareholder or financier only.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • This founder-authorized IMI record is secondary snapshot evidence and does not independently establish complete current law or every exception.
  • program_overview
    The permit is designed for founders of early-stage companies whose product or service is new to the Netherlands, employs new technology in production, distribution, or marketing, or introduces a new way of working or organizing.
  • how_to_qualify
    The applicant must play an active role in the organization and cannot be a passive shareholder or financier only

What must actually exist or be demonstrated: business plan, company, innovation, clients, contracts, economic activity, job creation or other substance?

The applicant must have a step-by-step plan setting out the structure of the organisation, roles and responsibilities, legal form, personnel, company goals, a description of the innovative product or service, and a planning and activity schedule for setting up the company. The product or service must be new to the Netherlands, employ new technology in production, distribution, or marketing, or introduce a new organisational model. The RVO must issue a positive recommendation on the innovativeness of the concept.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • This founder-authorized IMI record is secondary snapshot evidence and does not independently establish complete current law or every exception.
  • how_to_qualify
    The applicant must have a step-by-step plan setting out the structure of the organization, roles and responsibilities, legal form, personnel, company goals, a description of the innovative product or service, and a planning and activity schedule for setting up the company
  • how_to_qualify
    The product or service must be new to the Netherlands, employ new technology in production, distribution, or marketing, or introduce a new organizational model
  • how_to_qualify
    The RVO must issue a positive recommendation on the innovativeness of the concept

What investment, capital, income, revenue, funding or viability evidence is central to this pathway?

The applicant must demonstrate sufficient means of support, either through a Dutch personal or business bank account, or through financing provided by the facilitator for the full duration of the stay.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • This founder-authorized IMI record is secondary snapshot evidence and does not independently establish complete current law or every exception.
  • how_to_qualify
    The applicant must demonstrate sufficient means of support, either through a Dutch personal or business bank account, or through financing provided by the facilitator for the full duration of the stay

What business/self-employed activity may the holder conduct? Are there important restrictions? What is the family position where clearly stated?

The holder may live and work in the Netherlands for up to one year while establishing an innovative business under the guidance of a recognised facilitator. The applicant must play an active role in the organisation and cannot be a passive shareholder or financier only. The official source does not state the family position.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • This founder-authorized IMI record is secondary snapshot evidence and does not independently establish complete current law or every exception.
  • program_overview
    The Netherlands Start-up Residence Permit allows non-EU entrepreneurs to live and work in the Netherlands for up to one year while establishing an innovative business under the guidance of a recognized facilitator.
  • program_overview
    The permit is valid for a maximum of one year and cannot be renewed as a startup permit.
  • how_to_qualify
    The applicant must play an active role in the organization and cannot be a passive shareholder or financier only

What approval/application sequence applies, how long is the status granted, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction is officially stated?

The applicant works with an RVO-listed facilitator. An MVV and the residence permit are applied for together, from abroad at a Dutch representation, or in the Netherlands (the facilitator online, or the applicant by post). The fee is €423,00 and the IND decides within 90 days. The permit is valid for up to 1 year and cannot be extended. After 1 year the holder can apply for a self-employed residence permit, with a facilitator declaration of a mentoring process of at least 3 months completed successfully.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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